INTRAVENTRICULAR ANTIBIOTIC-THERAPY IN BACTERIAL-MENINGITIS

While shunt infections are regularly treated with intraventricular antibiotics, the validity of such an application in bacterial meningitis of other origin is controversal. We report two cases of partly successful treatment with intraventricular Ceftazidime (10-20 mg twice per week). One patient with pseudomonas aeruginosa meningitis who was treated as an out-patient for nearly two years died after an attempted withdrawal of the intraventricular treatment. In our experience, intraventricular application of antibiotics can be a part of the therapeutic regimen in all cases of chronic meningitis with problematic bacteria. Depending on the bacillus, Ceftazidime, Vancomycin or Netilmicin can be recommended for intrathecal application.